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Legislative Survey for
Representative Nora Slawik (DFL) 55B


Dear Neighbors,

The 2010 Legislative Session begins on Feb¬ruary 4, and like last session, it promises to be a challenging one. As before, I need your input to help me make the best decisions for Oakdale, Maplewood and Minnesota’s future.

The highest unemployment rates in three decades and a steep drop in wages have created another wide gap in the state bud¬get. Like you, I know that government can’t solve all our problems, but I also know that targeted efforts to create jobs in the last year have worked. The Federal Recovery Act, in coordination with the state’s strate¬gic bonding efforts, prevented this reces¬sion from becoming a depression by creat¬ing thousands of jobs since last February.

Another jobs-focused bonding bill this year could put 10,000 more Minnesotans back to work. It won’t provide every out-of-work individual a job. But connecting Minne¬sotans with employment will get people spending again, give Minnesota businesses a needed boost, and help push our econo¬my in the right direction.

Difficult budget decisions will again domi¬nate the upcoming session. But my highest priority as Vice-Chair of the Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division and as your leg¬islator, will be putting people back to work.

As always, please feel free to contact me with your questions and concerns related to state government. I look forward to hearing from you.

Warm Regards,
Nora

1. What should the Legislature’s top priorities be in the 2010 Legislative Session? (Rank 1-7)
Balancing the budget
Passing a job creation package, including a bonding bill
E-12 education
Property tax relief
Health care reform
Public safety & consumer protection
Other (Please Specify):  

2. Over the last year, have you experienced any of the following? (Check all that apply)
Loss of a job
Loss of a home
Loss of health insurance
Wage cut or freeze
Hours cut

3. The bipartisan Jobs Task Force has been meeting throughout the interim with business leaders and economic experts to discuss solutions to speed the state’s economic recovery. Which of the following options do you support to grow new jobs in Minnesota? (Check all that apply)
Targeted capital investments in the state’s aging infrastructure
Tax incentives for businesses that hire and retain workers
Investments in renewable energy industries to bring green jobs to Minnesota
Support for research and development at colleges and universities
Enact new tax breaks for corporations
Nothing—let the market take its course
Other (Please Specify):  

4. The bipartisan Small Business Caucus is currently working with small business owners in our community and across the state to more clearly define the challenges and opportunities facing Minnesota’s small businesses. Which of the following options do you support to help make the state’s business climate more competitive? (Check all that apply)
Do a better job connecting small business owners with existing state resources
Help provide low-interest loans for small business expansion and entrepreneurs
Develop a statewide small business health insurance pool to lower costly premiums
Reduce and revise state business regulations
Cut taxes on small businesses
Provide small business tax credits for long-term investment
Reign-in skyrocketing property taxes
Improve workforce training efforts and continue our investment in higher education
Other (Please Specify):  

Do you own a small business?
Yes
No

5. Due to the economy, the state is facing a $1.2 billion budget deficit this session and a projected $6.6 billion revenue shortfall in the next biennium. What should the Legislature do to balance the budget?
Cut programs
Raise taxes
Combination of budget cuts and tax increases
Operate government differently
Allow the Governor to unallot
Other (Please Specify):  

6. Do you support providing state funding to build a new Vikings Stadium?
Yes
No
Not sure

7. Do you support expanding gambling to pay for a stadium or other budget items?
Yes, for a stadium
Yes, for other budget items
No
Not sure

8. Do you support lifting the state’s moratorium on the construction of new nuclear power plants?
Yes
No
Not sure

9. Other comments or questions:

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